swearing

Swearing and our attention to its effect is most strange in my opinion. Ive just had a private message asking me my opinion on an 18c English book on the subject and if its contents would be appropriate. It made me question my own views on swearing and my double standards of it use.

Up till Victorian times many Anglo Saxon words that were considered vulgar but popular were in regular use. The Victorian prudery made them unacceptable , I wonder why a certain word can cause so much offence but its Latin equivalent not. "You urinating heads really annoy me" " why dont you copulating fools go away"

Maybe because they are often intended to cause offense. It is also, I imagine that they are most often used by the ignorant who know no other way of expressing themselves, and they are associated with those people. In any case, since they do cause offense, why use them? Unless, of course, in order to cause offense.

Maybe because they are often intended to cause offense. It is also, I imagine that they are most often used by the ignorant who know no other way of expressing themselves, and they are associated with those people. In any case, since they do cause offense, why use them? Unless, of course, in order to cause offense.

Swearing and our attention to its effect is most strange in my opinion. Ive just had a private message asking me my opinion on an 18c English book on the subject and if its contents would be appropriate. It made me question my own views on swearing and my double standards of it use.

Up till Victorian times many Anglo Saxon words that were considered vulgar but popular were in regular use. The Victorian prudery made them unacceptable , I wonder why a certain word can cause so much offence but its Latin equivalent not. "You urinating heads really annoy me" " why dont you copulating fools go away"

It's a sign of disrespect meant to provoke. You don't call people you respect a c*ntrag and using less emotional language doesn't produce the same effect because the intention of provocation isn't clear. You wouldn't take it as seriously.

..... If you use them in certain company they mean very little, in others it causes absolute havoc. Why are they so effective?

Politeness and Vulgarness (in word) are not so much linguistic things as reflections of culture expressed through language. It is natural for words themselves to change meaning, lose and gain prestige, ameliorate, and prejorate over time. Refer back to this thread -> http://www.philosophyforum.com/philosophy-forums/branches-philosophy/ethics/8850-pimps.html .

I've worked with languages where there are structured ways to use vulgarity to gain prestige. In fact in certain demographics in English it is common. I've worked with languages where it is outright rude not to refer to a non-stranger with a suffix that directly translates to their gender's genitalia. I've worked with languages who's only word for coitus, in the minds of the few remaining speakers all older than 65,directly translates to F**K. Yet in that language most cuss words have to do with being associated with 'bad medicine'/'black magic'. In certain groups and sub groups in American, and other cultures, Calling someone smart is worse than calling them a Mother F**ker.

The reason why F**K is generally vulgar and copulation is generally not likely has to do with the venue in which it is normally associated. Vulgarity in general has a lot to do with everyday functions of life at their most base/basic. it is in the etymology of the word vulgar. Since the referrent is base but everyday, there must be words to signify it in less a less profane manner. In a semon one might hear fornication, which has a classically condemning sense but not a vular sense. In a scientific journal one might read coitus, which has a de-emotionalizing effect. in normal conversation, one might hear sex, which has gained a frank almost transactional sense. However, there also must be an expression of base instinctual, irrational (or at least non-rational), non-spiritual = vulgar. This expression is vulgar in its classical sense, and in its current expressional sense.

Yes we know but it does not explain why they are so powerful when used, no other regular descriptive words, convey the same emotive and aggressive reaction.